Method and apparatus for automatic return from test mode

Abstract

The apparatus for automatic return from test mode includes a switch or optical port on a meter bezel for initiating, upon user actuation, the storing of customer billing data in a meter register and converting the meter from a customer billing data recording and displaying mode of operation to a test mode of operation for performing one or more field test functions. In addition, to eliminate the likelihood that a customer will be under-billed for unrecorded energy consumption, the meter includes a timer for computing an elapsed period of time (which is programmable in length). Upon the expiration of a predetermined elapsed time, the meter is automatically returned to a customer billing mode of operation, regardless of the state of any test being performed during the test mode. Thus, the possibility that the customer will be under-billed for energy consumed while the meter is accidently left in the test mode is eliminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A meter for measuring electrical energy, comprising: means electrically connected to a load for metering a quantity of electrical energy consumed by the load;   register means, operatively connected to said electrical energy metering means, for recording and displaying customer billing data based on the quantity of electrical energy consumed by the load;   means responsive to user actuation for storing said customer billing data in said register means and for converting said meter from a customer billing data recording and displaying mode of operation to a test mode of operation;   means, responsive to said storing and converting means, for computing an elapsed time during which said meter is in said test mode of operation; and   means, responsive to said elapsed time computing means for retrieving said customer billing data from storage and for converting said meter from said test mode of operation to said customer billing data recording and displaying mode of operation, when said elapsed time equals a predetermined elapsed time.   
     
     
       2. The meter of claim 1, wherein said register means comprises a solid-state microcontroller and liquid crystal register display electrically connected thereto, and wherein said storing and converting means comprises a switch on said register display. 
     
     
       3. The meter of claim 1, wherein said register means comprises a solid-state microcontroller and liquid crystal register display electrically connected thereto, and wherein said display comprises an optical port for accessing said storing and converting means. 
     
     
       4. The meter of claim 1, further comprising means responsive to user actuation for retrieving said customer billing data from storage and for converting said meter from said test mode of operation to said customer billing data recording and displaying mode of operation, irrespective of said elapsed time. 
     
     
       5. The meter of claim 4, wherein said register means comprises a solid-state microcontroller and liquid crystal register display electrically connected thereto, and wherein said storing and converting means comprises a switch on said register display. 
     
     
       6. The meter of claim 4, wherein said register means comprises a solid-state microcontroller and liquid crystal register display electrically connected thereto, and wherein said display comprises an optical port for accessing said storing and converting means. 
     
     
       7. The meter of claim 4, further comprising means responsive to user actuation for programming said predetermined elapsed time in said register means. 
     
     
       8. In a meter for measuring electrical energy, including means electrically connected to a load for metering a quantity of electrical energy consumed by the load and register means, for recording and displaying customer billing data based on the quantity of electrical energy consumed by the load, a method for automatically returning said register means for a test mode of operation comprising the steps of: storing said customer billing data in said register means in response to user actuation;   converting said meter from a customer billing data recording and displaying mode of operation to a test mode of operation in response to user actuation;   computing an elapsed time, beginning at the commencement of said meter converting step; and   automatically retrieving said customer billing data from said register means and terminating said test mode of operation when said elapsed time equals a predetermined elapsed time.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8, wherein said computing step is preceded by the step of programming a predetermined elapsed time into said register means and wherein said automatically retrieving step comprises the step of automatically retrieving said customer billing data from said register means and terminating said test mode of operation when said elapsed time equals said predetermined elapsed time. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, wherein said storing step is preceded by the step of accessing an optical port on said meter. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9, wherein said automatically retrieving and terminating state terminates said test mode of operation when said elapsed time equals a predetermined elapsed time, notwithstanding that tests performed during said test mode of operation are incomplete.